Pub chain J D Wetherspoon is planning a major expansion this year with 13 new venues confirmed for 2025.

The much-anticipated Wetherspoon branch in Farnham is not on the official list, despite the company previously announcing plans to move into the former Slug and Lettuce nightclub on East Street.

Earlier this month, the Slug and Lettuce signage was taken down from the East Street site, leading to speculation that J D Wetherspoon would soon be moving in.

However, Eddie Gershon, a spokesperson for the company, confirmed it was still finalising the details of the site acquisition

He said: “Wetherspoon still needs to complete on the purchase of the building. So at present there are no on-site or opening dates.”

The pub chain has already opened two branches this year in Marlow, Buckinghamshire and Waterloo station in London.

Seven more are due to open before the summer, including venues in Manchester Airport, Fulham Broadway Station and Whiteley shopping centre in Fareham.

The chain will also be opening four pubs based in Haven Holiday Parks.

The news of Wetherspoon’s plans for Farnham drew mixed reactions from Herald readers, with some highlighting the lack of budget dining and drinking options in the town, while others argued it would hurt the business of small, independent pubs and restaurants.

Whatever the opening date of the new J D Wetherspoon, there will be more opportunity for the venue after wine bar and restaurant Jack and Alice announced its closure last week.

Wetherspoon’s expansion comes after a tough few years for the company. Since 2023, the popular chain has shut 26 of its pubs across the country, following several closures the year before.

Its latest financial update showed positive results, with a 5.1 percent increase in sales over the 25 weeks to January 19, compared to the same period last year.

Food sales were a major contributing factor to this, increasing by 5.6 percent year-on-year, while bar sales were up 4.5 percent. Wetherspoon also said it had a bumper Christmas season, with a 6.1 percent rise in sales from December 16 to January 5.

Wetherspoon chief executive Tim Martin, however, warned that upcoming wage and National Insurance tax rises would significantly impact profits.

He said: “From April 1, labour-related costs at Wetherspoon will increase by around £60 million per annum.

“The company is confident of a reasonable outcome for the year, although forecasting is more difficult, given the extent of the increased costs.”

He also called for a fairer VAT system, arguing that the current disparity between pubs and supermarkets could lead to more supermarket dominance and fewer pubs.

The full list of Wetherspoons pubs opening this year: